Hat forming machine



July 20, 1937 Y R M, CUMlNG .2,087,798

HAT FORMING MACHINE 'Filed Aug. 24, 19:55 2 sheets-sheet 1 all July 20, 1937 R M, CUMlNG 2,087,798

HAT FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 2,4,A 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ulm..

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BY may@ f C@ ATTORNEY Patented July 20, 1937 UNI-TED STATES www v HAT FORMING MACHINE Robert M. Cunning, New

York, N. Y., assignor to M. A. Cuming & Co., Inc., New York, N. Y.

Application August 24,

2 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a hat forming machine.

The invention has for an object the construction of a machine as mentioned which is characterized by a top block having a flange portion and a central eXpansible crown portion cooperative with a bottom block in a novel manner.

More particularly, the invention contemplates the provision of small cam elements upon the flange portion of the top block cooperating with cutout portions on the bottom block so that there is an aligning tendency as the blocks are forced together to more efliciently form the hat.

Another object of the invention proposes another construction for regulating the distance between the top and bottom blocks.

A further object of the invention is a novel construction for protecting the expansible crown portion from heating devices for heating the blocks.

Still further the invention proposes a novel construction wherein the expansible crown portion is limited in its motion.

A still further object of the invention is to mount one of the blocks resiliently in a manner so that the small cam elements may move the blocks into perfect alignment when the blocks are engaged with each other.

Another object is the construction of a device as mentioned which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a machine constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective View of a portion of Fig. l showing the bottom block in position beneath the top block.

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2 but showing the top and bottom blocks engaged.

Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view of Fig. 4.

50 Fig. 5 is a plan view looking in the direction of the line 5*5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken on the line 6-5 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line '1 -I of Fig. 4.

1935, Serial No. 37,689

Fig. 8 is a sectional View taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view 5 taken on line Hl-IIJ of Fig. 4.

Fig. 1l is a vertical sectional view taken on the line II-II of Fig. 10.

The hat forming machine, accordingr to this invention, comprises a frame IB, a carriagek lII 10 slidably mounted on the'gframe, a topv block I2 mounted on the carriage, a bottom block I3 adjustably mounted on the frame and adapted to be placed beneath said top block and said top block having a ilange portion I 4 and a central 15 inilatable or expansible crown portion I5. A means is provided on the ilange I4 and on the bottom block for alignably clamping the hat, and a means is provided for inflating or expanding g said crown portion to suitably form the hat. '20

More particularly, the frame I0` comprises a pair of vertical posts IllaL mounted on a base structure I'I. The carriage II has several bushings I8 slidably engaging on theposts Illa. A means is provided for moving the carriage up and down 25 on the frame. This means consists of ka pair of links I9 pivotally mounted at the top ends upon a cross member 2E) mounted between the posts Illa. The lower ends of thelinks |9Apivotally connect with other links 20 which arermounted 30 on a shaft 2l rotative in lugs 22 mounted on the carriage II. A handle 23 is rotative upon one of the cams 2l of the shaft 2i and is secured to link 2B. The handle 23 may be turned so p as to cause the links I9 and 2U to assume po- 35 sitions in end alignmentwith each other. This is the-closed ypositionv of the machine and is illustrated in Fig. 3. It should be noted that theV handle 23 is then -completely lowered and that the top vand bottom blocks are in engagement 4o with each other. The carriage Il is counterbalanced by a mechanism including cables 24 Y which engage pulleys 25 mounted upon brackets 25 from the cross piece 2B'. The cablesA connect n with a counterweight 2l. 45

An auxiliary handle 23 is secured to shaft 2l so that after handle 23 is completely lowered; an additional pressure may be applied by lowering carriage Il by the rotation of cams 2l'. This additional pressure is desirablewhen the hat is made of certain soft material.

The top block 'I2 comprises a hub portion 29 supported by several studs/30 connected with the carria-ge I I. These studs serve to xedly hold 4 the top block. The hub portion 29 has a hollow 55 cylindrical core 35 extending into the expansible crown portion I5. The upper edges of the crown portion I are clamped between the hub 29 and an annular member 3| which is attached to the hub. The flange portion I4 has a shoulder 33 upon which the annular member 3| is attached. The hub portion 23, the annular member 3| and the edge of the crown portion I5 all are disposed within the recess in the block I2 which forms the shoulder 33.

The means on the flange portion and on the bottomblock for alignably clamping the hat comprises several cams 31 projecting from the flange portion I4 and engageable in cam recesses 38 formed in the bottom block. The arrangement is such that when the blocks are engaged with each other the cams 31 will engage the recesses 38 and slightly twist or move the bottom block relative to the top block. This motion is a very small amount but is sufficient to insure the proper aligning of the blocks and hat between the blocks.

The means for expanding the expansible crown portion I5 comprises a hydraulic tank 40 having an air inlet 4I above the hydraulic which is connected with a valve 42 operated by the handle 43 and controlling a supply of compressed air through the supply pipe 44. A pressure gauge 45 is arranged between the valve 42 and the tank 40 to indicate the pressure within the tank. A pressure release valve` 45 -is connected laterally with the inlet 4| and connects with a discharge funnel 41. A pipe 48 from the bottom of the tank 40 connects with a flexible pipe 49, in turn connected with a rigid pipe 5I) mounted on the top block. Thispipe 5I! terminates in an end 5| extending axially through the hollow cylindricalV portion 3|) of the hub. The pipe 50 serves as a stop to limit the upward motion of the crown portion I5 when vacuum is formed with the cylindrical portion 30. During the operation of the machine the expanding portion I5 is expanded by forcing the hydraulic into the portion I5 and thereafter it is contracted by withdrawing the hydraulic.

A heater 55 encircles the block I2 and is adapted to supply the heat necessary. A feature of the invention resides in the fact that the heat or fiame of the heater 55 cannot reach the upper edge of the material of the vcrown portionl I5, since this edge is partitioned from the flame by flange I2 of block I2. In prior constructions the edges of the crown portion are directly exposed to the flames or the heat fromrthe heater 55.

The bottom block rests freely on a bed element 51 supported by several rollers upon tracks 58, supported upon the frame of the machine. The bed 51 is provided with avhandle 59 by which it may be manually moved. The tracks 58 extend to the front so that the bed 51 may be drawn frontward and the hat easily removed from the bottom block. Or, the bed 51 may be pushed completely rearward to a position in which the bottom block is aligned with the topblock. 'The bottom block includes a forming element 60 freely resting on the bed 51. This forming element 60 is of a shape adapted to receive a hat and support the brim and crown. The block I3 is formed with the recesses 38 as previously described (see Fig. 6). The bottom block is also heated. There is a channel construction 6I in the bed 51 through which the steam may be supplied for the heat. There is also a gas pipe heater 62 mounted upon the lower portion of the bed 51. Also, an electrical heater 63 is provided on the lower portion of the bed. Thus, there is a selection of heating means.

The operation of the device is as follows:-

The top and bottom blocks, I2 and I3 respectively, are brought up to the proper temperature by the operation of the heater for the blocks. A hat may then be placed on the bottom block I3 with the crown engaging into the crown portion of the block, and the brim resting on the brim portion. The bottom block is then pushed inward to a position beneath the top block. The handle 23 is moved downward so that the top block is brought into engagement to clamp the hat against the bottom block. During the initial stages of the clamping operation the cam projections 31 engage the cam recesses 38 so that there is a slight twisting or moving to properly align the blocks, then auxiliary adjustment maybe made by rotating handle 23', thus actuating cams 2| and lowering carriage II to the desired position. The valve 43 is then operated to cause the hydraulic to expand the expansible` crown portion I5 under suitable pressure to 0perate to form the hat. The valve 42 is operated to cause the hydraulic to iiow back to the tank 40 so that the crown portion I5 is collapsed and is free from the hat.V 'Ihe top block is then raised by the proper operation of the handle 23, the bottom block |3 is moved to the front, and the hat is removed.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 9 `a means is shown for resiliently holding the block I3 in a normal position. This contrasts with the prior construction where the block is free to Vmove slightly laterally. The resilient means consists of several springs 51a mounted on the bed 51 and Vengaging againstthe sides of the crown portion of the forming element 6D. With this construction the forming element, when free, will always be held in the same position. When the top and bottom blocks engage each other, the cams 31 will engage the cam recesses 38 to properly align the blocks. Y

A further advantage gainedby the relative shifting of the blocks when they assume their operative clamping position is that the shift will have a tendency to make the blocks firmly grip the brim of the hat so that it is held suciently tight to prevent any motion when the crown portion of the hat is placed under pressure by the expansion of the crown element I5.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. v

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:-

1. A hat forming machine, comprising a frame,v

a carriage slidably mounted on said frame, a top block mounted on said carriage, said top block having a flange portion and a central inatable crown portion, a bed adjustably mounted on said frame below said carriage, a bottom block sup ported in said bed, means in said top and bottom blocks for alignably clamping the brim of a hat, means for inflating said crown portion, and resilient means for holding said bottom block normally beneath said top block.

2. A hat forming machine, comprising a frame, a carriage slidably mounted on said frame, a top block mounted on said carriage, said top Vblock for allowing slight lateral motion when the blocks are engaged and means for resiliently holding said bottom block, said means comprising several leaf springs mounted on the bottom of said bed and extending vertically between said bed 5 and bottom block.

ROBERT M.,CUMING. 

